Yang & Earth
Proverb
Virtue can’t live alone; neighbours will spring up around it.
Poem
Dark plains soil, good for crops,
The plants there sweet as cakes.
We grow here, we meet to govern,
The tortoise-omens are cast.
stop here, then, stop here,
Build your house in this place.
Meditation
This poem is famous because it tells us how decisions were made in ancient China.
When a momentous decision was needed –
such as where a wandering people should settle –
the gods were asked their advice
throught a strange divination process using crachs in tortoise-shell.
So this poem advises you to turn to Heaven, to God,
and go humbly in prayer, meditation and quiet –
hear in your heart what is right to do.
The proverb indicates that those who build their actions on such a foundation
will find they are supported by others attracted to the virtues and values thus displayed.
©Loes Raaphorst 10/2005